Munich Travel Guide: Honest Tips, Top Sights, Beer Gardens & Where to Stay
Munich is one of those cities that manages to feel both grand and cosy at the same time. You get church bells, palace courtyards and big leafy parks, but also quiet side streets, tiny bakeries and locals cycling home with flowers in their basket. It is a city that likes to enjoy life, not just rush through it.
If you are expecting nothing but beer and football shirts, you might be pleasantly surprised. You will find river surfers in the English Garden, students in artsy cafés, office workers grabbing lunch at Viktualienmarkt and couples sharing roast chicken in a noisy beer hall. This Munich Travel Guide is for you if you like walkable cities, good food, a bit of history and easy day trips, without needing a millionaire budget. 🍻
Munich Travel Guide: Quick Facts
Let me show you the basics so you know what you are dealing with before you start daydreaming about pretzels. (Yes, they are incredible)
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Country / Region | Germany, Bavaria |
| Language | German (English widely spoken in tourist areas) |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Best time to visit | Late spring and early autumn for mild weather. December for Christmas markets. Late Sept–early Oct for Oktoberfest, very busy and pricey. |
| Main arrival points | Munich Airport (MUC), Munich Hauptbahnhof (Hbf – main train station) |
| Rough daily budget | Budget: ~€70–100 (about £60–85 / $80–110). Mid-range: ~€130–200 (about £115–175 / $150–230). |
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: If you love sit-down dinners and a few drinks each night, plan for the higher end of the mid-range numbers so you are not sulking when the bill lands.
🔥 My Recommended Tour to get you started in Munich: From Munich: Neuschwanstein and Linderhof Castle Tour
Quick Q&As about Munich
How many days do you need in Munich?
You need at least 3 days in Munich to see the main sights, museums and parks. Add a 4th day if you want a full day trip like Neuschwanstein or Salzburg.
Is Munich walkable?
Yes, Munich is very walkable around the old town, Viktualienmarkt and the English Garden. You only need public transport for longer trips like Nymphenburg Palace, Olympiapark or Allianz Arena.
What is the best area to stay in Munich?
The best area to stay in Munich for first-timers is Altstadt-Lehel, close to the main sights. Maxvorstadt and Schwabing are great for museums and cafés, while Glockenbachviertel suits nightlife and LGBTQ+ travellers.
Is Munich expensive to visit?
Munich is one of Germany’s pricier cities, similar to other Western European hubs. You feel it most in hotels and eating out, but you can save with markets, bakeries and public transport day tickets.
Do you need cash in Munich?
You can pay by card almost everywhere in Munich, including shops and restaurants. It is still handy to carry a little cash for markets, small bakeries and older beer gardens. 💶
👉 Good to know: At ATMs, always choose to be charged in EUR, not in your home currency, to avoid nasty exchange rates.
Who Munich suits and how the city is laid out
From my experience Munich works best for people who like their city breaks with a calmer pace. It is brilliant if you enjoy art, history, beer gardens, football, parks, or just sitting in the sun with a coffee people-watching. Families like it because it feels safe and clean. Solo travellers enjoy how easy it is to navigate. Couples get palaces, parks and sunset walks by the river.
The city centre orbits around Marienplatz, the main square (pictured above), with the old town streets stretching out from there. Viktualienmarkt, the Residenz and St Peter’s Church are all within a short walk. To the north you hit museum-heavy Maxvorstadt and leafy Schwabing. The English Garden stretches alongside the Isar River, while Nymphenburg Palace sits a bit out to the west. Allianz Arena is up to the north, reached quickly by U-Bahn.
💡 Fact: Once you get your bearings around Marienplatz, Munich feels a lot smaller and more manageable than it looks on a map.
🗺️ Road Trip For Later: Germany Road Trip: Berlin to Munich + Map 🚗
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When to visit Munich
Munich’s personality changes through the year. Spring feels fresh, with beer gardens opening up and locals escaping to the parks at the first hint of sunshine. Late April to June is a fantastic time, before the main summer crowds and with long evenings for riverside walks and outdoor dinners.
Summer can be hot, but the city handles it well. People sunbathe in the English Garden, swim in the Isar, and picnic everywhere that will hold a blanket. Late September and early October are dominated by Oktoberfest. It is fun, chaotic, and very expensive for accommodation. You will need to book early and accept packed trains and lively streets.
Autumn after Oktoberfest calms down nicely, with crisp days and colourful leaves in the parks.
Winter is cold but atmospheric, especially from late November into December when the Christmas markets appear. Expect a mix of fairy lights, Glühwein and numb toes. 🎄
🔹Tinker’s Tip: If you want a mix of decent weather and lighter crowds, late May, early June or late September outside the main Oktoberfest days are usually solid bets.
🚕 Airport Transfer: Welcome Pickups Bratislava
🗺️ Tips for Visiting Germany: Germany Travel: Insider Tips for the Savvy Traveller
How to get to Munich
By air, you will probably land at Munich Airport (MUC), which is big but well organised. From there, the S1 and S8 S-Bahn trains trundle into the city in around 35–45 minutes, dropping you at Hauptbahnhof or Marienplatz. There are also airport buses if you fancy that route.
Arriving by train is just as easy and my recommended option if coming from most places in Europe. Munich Hauptbahnhof is a major hub with direct trains from places like Vienna, Salzburg, Zurich and several Italian cities. Long-distance buses also serve Munich, usually arriving near the main bus station close to the centre. They can be cheaper than trains, but you pay with extra travel time.
👉 Good to know: If you are doing a little loop around Germany or Austria, check regional and saver tickets. Booking trains even a few days in advance can shave a surprising amount off the price.
🗺️ Recommended Read: Sex in Hotels: Why it’s Better Than Anywhere Else
Recommended Tours from GetYourGuide
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Getting around Munich: U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and bikes
Once you are in the city, getting around is painless. Munich’s MVV network covers U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams and buses on one ticket system. Most visitors stay in Zone M, which covers the central area where you will spend most of your time. You can buy single tickets, day tickets or group tickets, either from machines or via the app.
Day tickets work out well if you are hopping around a lot, especially if there are two or more of you. Remember to validate paper tickets before you travel. Trams are handy for shorter hops and you get a mini sightseeing tour thrown in, as they run at street level.
Cycling is very popular, so expect plenty of bikes flying past you. There are bike lanes on many main roads and several rental schemes. And of course, central Munich is very walkable, so you will probably only use transport for longer legs like Nymphenburg, Olympiapark or Allianz Arena. 🚋
🔹Tinker’s Tip: Screenshot a simple map of the U-Bahn and S-Bahn lines before you go. It is easier to glance at that than wrestle with full Google Maps zoom-ins on a busy platform.
Neighbourhoods & where to stay
Choosing your base can really shape your trip. I have chosen the main areas for you:
Altstadt-Lehel: Ideal for first visits. You are right by Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt and the big churches. It is atmospheric and convenient, but also one of the priciest spots.
Maxvorstadt: Museum central. Great for art lovers, students, café-hopping and slightly more relaxed streets than the old town.
Schwabing: North of the centre with a “creative” feel, lots of cafés, bars and easy access to the English Garden.
Glockenbachviertel / Isarvorstadt: Lively, cool, LGBTQ+ friendly and stacked with independent shops and bars.
Haidhausen: East of the river with a more local vibe, pretty squares and nice evening spots.
🏨 Recommended hotels: Booking.com Munich
🛌 Recommended Hostels: Hostelworld Munich
👉 Good to know: If Altstadt prices make your eyes water, look just beyond in areas with a direct U-Bahn or tram line into the centre. Often it is only 10–15 minutes extra travel and the neighbourhood feels more local.
🗺️ A Simple itinerary: 3 Days In Munich: Royal Splendor & Beer Halls
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Top things to do in Munich
Start at Marienplatz and watch the Glockenspiel do its thing, then drift through the old streets to Viktualienmarkt for food stalls, fresh produce and the odd sneaky beer garden. Climb St Peter’s Church tower for a proper view over the city if your legs are up for it.
Take time for the English Garden, where you can watch the river surfers at the Eisbachwelle, wander along leafy paths or plonk yourself at a beer garden table under the trees. Out to the west, Nymphenburg Palace gives you a royal fix with a huge park to explore.
Modern Munich sits out by Olympiapark, BMW Welt and Allianz Arena, which are worth a look if you are into cars or football. Even if you are not, the stadium tour is surprisingly fun. I had a great day at the BMW museum, so make sure you add that! 🚗
Other things to do:
Take a lazy walk or bike ride along the Isar River, stopping on the pebbly banks for a mini picnic and some people-watching 🍻
Ride up the Olympic Tower in Olympiapark for big city-and-Alps views, then wander the park’s hill paths
Catch a match or stadium tour at Allianz Arena if you are even mildly into football, the atmosphere is half the fun
Browse the shops and cafés around Gärtnerplatz and Glockenbachviertel, great for indie bits and evening drinks
Visit the Hofbräuhaus or another traditional beer hall for live music, shared tables and classic Bavarian chaos in the best way 🎺
💡 Fact: If you climb a tower or view point on a clear day, you can sometimes see all the way to the Alps on the horizon. Very smug holiday photo potential.
Museums and culture highlights
If you love museums, clear some serious time in your schedule. The Deutsches Museum is massive and packed with science and tech exhibits, from historic aircraft to interactive experiments. It is a solid choice for a rainy day or anyone who gets excited by buttons and levers.
In Maxvorstadt you have the Alte Pinakothek, Neue Pinakothek and Pinakothek der Moderne, plus smaller galleries and museums. You can happily wander between them and stitch together your own DIY art trail. The Residenz back in the centre is another big hitter, with lavish rooms and a treasury that leans heavily into “Bavarian royal bling”.
Music fans can look at catching an opera or classical concert. Even if you are not usually into it, watching a performance in a grand old building is a nice way to round off an evening in Munich. 🎶
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: Group your museums by area. For example, do a “Maxvorstadt art day” or a “Deutsches Museum plus river walk” day, instead of zig-zagging across the city and wasting energy.
🗺️ Useful Guide: Visit Neuschwanstein Castle: An In-Depth Guide for First-Time Visitors
Beer halls, beer gardens and Bavarian food
Let’s be honest, beer is part of the Munich story. Classic beer halls like Hofbräuhaus and Augustiner are loud, busy and a little touristy, but they are also good fun if you lean into it. Expect big wooden tables, clinking glasses and possibly a band in the corner.
Beer gardens are a softer version of that energy. You sit under chestnut trees, share long tables and watch the world go by. Some are attached to breweries, others hide inside parks or squares. A standard half-litre of beer is usually a few euros, and non-drinkers can go for soft drinks or Radler (beer mixed with lemonade).
Food-wise, think roast chicken, sausages, pork knuckle, dumplings, sauerkraut and all things hearty. Vegetarians are not doomed, you can normally find salads, cheese dishes, spätzle and seasonal options. It is filling comfort food, perfect after a day of walking. 🍗
🔹 Tinker’s Tip: In many traditional beer gardens you are allowed to bring your own cold food to the outdoor tables, as long as you buy drinks there. Ideal if you grabbed bits from Viktualienmarkt earlier.
🗺️ Love beer? Visit the festival: Oktoberfest Unwrapped: History, Must-Know Traditions & Insider Tips
Suggested 2–4 day Munich itinerary
Here is a simple outline you can tweak as needed.
Day 1 – Old town orientation
- Marienplatz and the Glockenspiel
- Viktualienmarkt for lunch and a wander
- St Peter’s Church tower climb
- Residenz or a church or two in the afternoon
- Evening in a classic beer hall for your first Bavarian feast
Day 2 – Palaces and parks
- Nymphenburg Palace in the morning
- Tram or U-Bahn back towards the English Garden
- Afternoon walk or cycle through the park, watch the surfers
- Beer garden dinner somewhere leafy
Day 3 – Museums or football & cars
- Option A: Deutsches Museum or Pinakothek day
- Option B: Olympiapark, BMW Welt and Allianz Arena tour
- Dinner in Maxvorstadt or Schwabing
Day 4 – Day trip
- Neuschwanstein for fairytale castle vibes
- Dachau Memorial for a serious, reflective day
- Or a lake escape to Tegernsee or Starnberg
Day trips from Munich
Munich is spoiled for day trips.
- Neuschwanstein & Füssen: Train to Füssen plus a short bus ride, then a steep walk or shuttle up to the castle. Full-day job, but very scenic.
- Dachau Memorial Site: Short S-Bahn ride plus a bus. It is a heavy, important visit, so do not plan a big party night straight after.
- Tegernsee: About an hour by train, with lakeside walks, boat trips and Alpine views. Perfect for a chilled day out.
- Salzburg: Just over an hour by train. Mozart, mountain backdrop, pretty streets and easy to explore in a single day.
- Zugspitze: Train to Garmisch-Partenkirchen (around 1.5–2 hours), then a cogwheel train or cable car up Germany’s highest peak. It is a full-on mountain day with big views, snow underfoot for much of the year and a proper “top of Germany” moment.
You can also look at closer lakes like Starnberger See or Ammersee if you want shorter travel times and more time on the water. 🚂
🗺️ For a closer look: Planning Your Trip to Zugspitze Mountain, Germany: Tips and Essentials
Money & budgeting in Munich
Munich is not a budget backpacker paradise, but you can keep costs sensible with a few habits. A casual lunch in a simple café might be around €10–15. A main in a mid-range restaurant could easily be €18–30. Beer is usually a few euros in most places, more in tourist hotspots or during big events.
If you are watching the pennies, hit supermarkets, bakeries, and market stalls. Picnic lunches in parks are a classic move and feel very “local”. Public transport day tickets are often cheaper than lots of singles, especially if there are two or more of you travelling together.
Costs at a glance (very rough ballpark)
| Item | Approx EUR | Approx GBP | Approx USD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coffee in a café | €3–4 | ~£2.60–3.50 | ~$3.50–4.50 |
| 0.5L beer in a beer hall | ~€5–7 | ~£4.30–6 | ~$5.50–7.50 |
| Single public transport ticket (inner city) | ~€3.50–4.50 | ~£3–4 | ~$3.80–4.90 |
| Simple lunch (casual spot) | ~€10–15 | ~£8.50–13 | ~$11–17 |
| Sit-down dinner (mid-range) | ~€20–30 | ~£17–26 | ~$22–33 |
| Entry to a major attraction | ~€15–20 | ~£13–18 | ~$16–22 |
| Mid-range hotel (night for 2) | ~€130–200 | ~£115–175 | ~$150–230 |
Safety and common scams
The good news: Munich generally feels very safe and I never had an issue both times I visited. You will still want the usual city awareness, but most visits are drama-free. In crowded areas like Marienplatz, the main train station, Christmas markets and Oktoberfest, keep bags zipped and phones tucked away.
A few things to keep an eye out for: people asking you to sign fake petitions, overly pushy “charity” collectors, or anyone trying to sell you “bargain” tickets in queues. Just say a polite “Nein, danke” and move on. During Oktoberfest and big football matches, expect busy trains, tipsy crowds and the occasional loud argument, but actual trouble is rare if you keep your head and avoid getting dragged into anything.
Packing tips & local etiquette
Munich weather can jump around. Take layers, a light waterproof and shoes you are happy to walk in for hours. In winter you will want proper cold-weather gear: coat, hat, gloves and something warm for your feet. In summer, add a swimsuit if you fancy river or lake dips and something light for hot afternoons.
In churches, memorials and more formal sites, aim for covered shoulders and generally respectful clothing. At Dachau and similar places, keep photography discreet and think twice before posting anything that feels like “look at me” rather than “I am here to learn”. In beer halls and gardens, sharing tables with strangers is normal. Just ask politely if a seat is free and use your best smile.
Accessibility basics in Munich
Munich does a decent job with accessibility compared to many older European cities, although it is not flawless. Many U-Bahn and S-Bahn stations have lifts, but not every single one does, and occasionally they are out of order. Trams are often low-floor with level entry, which makes them easier than older-style systems.
Main museums, big attractions and shopping streets are generally quite manageable, with step-free entrances or ramps and accessible toilets. Historic palaces and older churches can be trickier, with cobbles, stepped entrances and narrow doorways. It is worth checking your specific hotel, nearest stations and any “must see” attractions in advance if you have mobility needs.
FAQs
Do you need to book Oktoberfest tables in advance?
If you want a reserved table in a specific tent, especially in the evenings or at weekends, yes. Those can go months ahead. Outside peak times, you can sometimes walk in, but be prepared to queue and be flexible.
Can you do Munich on a tight budget?
Yes, if you pick cheaper accommodation, lean on markets and supermarkets, and focus mostly on free or low-cost sights like parks, churches and river walks. Save your cash for one or two paid attractions that really interest you.
Is tap water safe to drink in Munich?
Yes. Tap water is safe and tastes good. Bring a reusable bottle and refill in your hotel or apartment to save cash and plastic.
Do you need to speak German?
Not really. In central Munich many people speak English, especially in hotels, restaurants and tourist sights. A few friendly phrases like “bitte” and “danke” go a long way though.
Is Munich a good base for exploring the Alps?
Definitely. Trains and regional services make it easy to reach lakes and foothill towns in an hour or two, so you can sleep in the city and escape to mountain views during the day.
Now, over to you…
If Munich is now firmly on your list, this is your sign to actually book it. Start by picking your base, choose 3–4 “must do” sights, then layer in beer gardens, cafés and one dreamy day trip. The rest can stay flexible, that is where the fun lives.
If you want help turning this Munich Travel Guide into a real-life plan, you can:
- Save this guide and build your own 3–4 day itinerary
- Pair Munich with another stop in Germany or Austria for a longer route
- Use TheTravelTinker.com for more ideas, road trips and city guide.
Got a comment or helpful tip for someone else, drop it below.👇🗣️
Adventure on,
The Travel Tinker Crew 🌍✨
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Nick Harvey
Hi, I am Nick! Thank you for reading! I created The Travel Tinker as a resource designed to help you navigate the beauty of travel, allowing you to tinker your own travels! Let's explore!
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